Radio and like apparatus



Jan. 29, 1935. J, MILLEN 1,989,490

RADIO AND LIKE APPARATUS Filed Jemy 27. 193] 2 Sheets-Sheet l Invenoav:

dir/@6 Jan. 29, 1935. n .1. MILLEN 1,989,490

RADIO AND LIKE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 29, 1935 lUNI-TED srxrlas PATENT OFFICE RADIO Arm LIKE APPARATUS s James Millen, Malden, Mass. l l 1 Application January 27, 1931,.' Serial No. 511,601 4 claims. `(or. V11s-1241.1) I L V My invention aims to provide improvements in radio'and like apparatus.

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my inventionpy,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a dial mechanism as used in connectionwith a remote control device;`

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken `on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. n

Referring to the particular embodiment `of my invention shown by the drawings, I have illustrated a dial mechanism which in the device illustrated comprises a remote control mechaof my invention includes a scale .1 which in this particular instance is-.shown as flat and being opaque except for .the numbers andthe scale lines which are translucent. ,The scale 1 is mounted in a vertical manner as by the angle pieces 1a on a plate 2 to cover an opening 2a therethrough, and an electric light 3, for illumination of the scale markings, is mounted for longitudinal movement behind the plate 2 and scale 1, as shown in Fig. 3. The plate 2 is adapted to be mounted behind a suitable panel (not shown).

In the device illustrated all of the parts of the remote control device are supported by the plate 2 and those parts include the dial means, hereinafter more fully described, an electric switch 4 (Fig. 2) and a volume control 5, and any other suitable parts for operation of the set at a point remote from the set. The dial means is operated by a, knob 6 (Fig. 1), the switch 4 by a knob '7 and the volume control 5 by a knob 8, all of which are located in front of the plate 2 and each of which is connected by a shaft (Fig. 3) to its respective means to be operated by rotation ofthe shaft. Therefore, when my entire device is used as a remote control for a radio set, the plate 2 may be conveniently located in a small space, such, for instance, as may be provided in the upper part of a desk, cabinet, or the like, and the radio set may be located in an out-of-the-Way part of the desk or at any convenient point remote from the place where the set is to be operated. Therefore, the operating means for a radio set may be conveniently 1ocated While the set itself may be located in a space'not readily orfeasily accessible. It will, ofcourse, be understood that" the switch`4 and volume control 5 are each'con'nected by suitable wiring to the radio set.

The dial structure, aside from the scale 1 and lamp 3, includes Y means for operation ofv the lamp 3 and Vat the/'same' time for operation of the radio set. fIhe operating means 'comprises a shaft 9 extending ,from the knob 6 `(Fig. 3) through the vplate 2 and isi connected to one part of a Vernier mechanism l0 (Fig. y3). Another shaft 11 is connected, at one end, Yto the other part of the Vernier mechanism 10 and is sup- 'ported at the otherfencl bya bracket means 12 attached to 4the' plate 2`.

Any suitable Vernier mechanism may be used, but ,'I. have shownland useda mechanism like that more fully illustrated and describedV in the United StatesfLetters Patent to William A. Ready No.'1,'144675, issued January 21,1930. 'Anyl suitable mechanism may be employed to move the light 3 .longitudinally relative to the scale 1. I haveprovided a hood 13 in which the light is rremovably mounted and the hood. is slidably mounted .upon two parallel rods 14g-+14 (Figs. 2*,a'nd` 3) supported by brackets 15-15 attached tothe Vplate 2. The free end of each bracket 15 is bent at an angle and has a pulley 16 mounted upon the bent portion 17.

The means for coupling the remote control unit to the set may be varied as to mechanical structure, but I have shown as one means a mechanism which includes a large pulley 18 secured to the shaft 11. A cord, wire, belt, or the like which I shall term a flexible driving member 19 is passed around the pulleys 16 and has one portion extending from one pulley 16 around the pulley 18 in a. groove 20 and then through a slot 21 (Fig. 2) into the pulley Where one end is connected to a spring 22 secured directly to the pulley, as shown in Fig. 2. 'Ihe other end portion of the ilexible member 19 passes around the pulley 18 in another groove 23 and through a slot 24 in the edge of the pulley where the end is rigidly attached tothe pulley. To that portion of the flexible member 19 which passes from one pulley 16 to the other pulley 16, I have securely attached the hood 13 (Fig. 2) so that as the flexible member 19 moves upwardly or downwardly the hood 13 and light 3 move with it.

Another pulley 25 is attached to the shaft 11 and a chain or belt 26 is passed around that pulley and a corresponding pulley 27 which is attached to the condenser or like shaft 28 (Fig. 3)

of a radio set or the like (not shown) for operation of the set by rotation of the shaft 11.

In Fig. 2, I have shown the light 3 connected to a pair of contact members 29--29 by means of flexible wires 30-30 so that the light may be connected to a source of electric current supply without interfering with the movement thereof behind the scale 1.

'Ihe operation of the dial part of the device is as followsz-By turning the knob 6, the shaft4 9 will be rotated and this shaft will actuate the Vernier mechanism thereby rotating the shaft 1l at a reduced ratio with relation to the rotation of the shaft 9. Since the rotating or tuning part of the radio set is coupled with the shaft 11 by suitable means, such as above described, the shaft 28 (Fig. 3) will be rotated either at the same rater as the shaft 11 or at any differential rate according to the size of the pulleys 25 and 27. It is, ,ofv

course, desirable to have a visible indication so that the operator may know how he is tuning the radio set and, therefore, the lamp 3, which we will assume is lighted, will illuminate that area of the dial directly in front of a small opening 3,1 in the hood 13. Since the hood 13 is moved by the flexible means 19 driven'by the" pulley 18 attached to the shaft any rotation of the shaft 11 will be recorded by the 'changeof the position of the lamp with relation tothe scale. Therefore, as the shaft is rotated the hood 13 and lamp 3 will be moved upwardly 'orv downw ardly upon therods, thereby changing the area of illumina- .tion cast upon the scale and indicating the degree of rotation of the tuning means of the set.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereby, because the scope of my invention is best defined by the following claimsl I claim:` l. A remote control dialV mechanism forusein connection* with radiop andlike apparatus comprising a panel means, a scalexed with relation to said panel meansga light and light-supporting means movable longitudinally -with 'relation to said scale to indicateithe movement of a device to which the dial mechanism may be attached, a knob exposed at the front face of said panel means, a mechanism interposed between the knob and the light-supporting means and operable by manipulation of said knob to move said light and light-supporting means relative to said scale and an element adapted to be connected to the radio or like apparatus whereby said apparatus may be operated by manipulation of said knob and the operation of said apparatus will be indicated' on said scale by a movement' of the light and light-supporting means. l

2. A dial mechanism'having, in combination, a fixed scale, a lamp mounted' for movement along said scale, a rotatable shaft, gearing means opwhich said lamp is moved, and a manually operated control member operatively connected to said shaft for rotating it. y

3. A dial mechanism having,` in combination, a fixed scale, a lamp mounted for movement along said scale, a shield for said lamp operative to cause a vspot of illumination on said dial, a rotatable shaft, gearing means operatively connecting said shaft to said lamp and shield for moving them as a unit at a predetermined rate relative to the rotation of said shaft, gearing for operatively connecting said shaft to an instrument for adjusting the latter at the same relative rate at which said lamp and shield are moved, and a manually operated 4control member operatively connected to said shaft for rotating it.

4.r A remote control device having, in combination, a stationary dial, a lamp behind said dial, a support for said lamp for moving it longitudinally of said dial, a shaft, a' pulley carried by said shaft, vflexible 'means connecting said pulley and support for causing movement ofthe latter when said shaft is rotated, means for connecting said shaft to a remote instrument for adjusting the latter at the same'relative rate at which said support is moved, and a manually operable rotatable control member operatively connected to said shaft for rotating it. l

y JAMES MILLEN. 

